La France de Louis XV

Louis XV of France
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Louis XV

Louis XV by Hyacinthe Rigaud c. 1730
King of France and Navarre
Reign 1 September 1715 – 10 May 1774
Coronation 25 October 1722, at Reims Cathedral, France
Predecessor Louis XIV
Successor Louis XVI
Regent Philippe d’Orléans (1715–1723)
Spouse Marie Leszczyńska
Issue
Louise Élisabeth, Duchess of Parma
Princess Henriette
Princess Louise
Louis, Dauphin of France
Philippe, Duke of Anjou
Princess Marie Adélaïde
Princess Victoire
Princess Sophie
Princess Thérèse
Louise, Abbess of Saint Denis
House House of Bourbon
Father Louis, Dauphin of France
Mother Marie Adélaïde of Savoy
Born 15 February 1710
Palace of Versailles, France
Died 10 May 1774 (aged 64)
Palace of Versailles, France
Burial Basilica of Saint Denis, France
Signature
Religion Roman Catholicism
Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Well beloved (Louis le bien aimé) was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who ruled as King of France and Navarre from 1 September 1715 until his death. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity in 1723, his kingdom was ruled by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, his first cousin twice removed, as Regent of France. Cardinal Fleury was his chief minister from 1726 until the Cardinal’s death in 1743, at which time the young king took over sole control of the kingdom.

During his reign, Louis’s government returned the Austrian Netherlands, won at the Battle of Fontenoy of 1745, but given back to Austria by the terms of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle of 1748, and ceded most of New France to Great Britain at the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War in 1763. His reign also saw the incorporation of the territories of Lorraine and Corsica into the kingdom of France.

Some scholars believe Louis XV’s decisions damaged the power of France, weakened the treasury, discredited the absolute monarchy, and may have contributed to the French Revolution, which broke out 15 years after his death.[1][2] Other scholars argue that this reputation is based on propaganda meant to justify the French Revolution, and, by dismissing the Parlement of Paris and reforming the tax code, Louis set France on a path of stability late in his reign. He was succeeded by his grandson Louis XVI in 1774.

Background and early life
The War of the Austrian Succession and first signs of unpopularity
Madame de Pompadour
First attempt at reform
Seven Years’ War
Assassination attempt
Later life
Image, public opinion and history
Louis XV in popular culture
Children
Titles, styles, honours and arms
Ancestors
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
TitlesRead in another language
Last modified 9 days ago